Capping machine



Dec. 19, 1922. 1,439,673. 6. LOCHHEAD.

CAPPING MACHINE.

FILED FEB. 2. 1921.

Gc'o/e GE Loch/15A a.

)1 TTORNE Y8 Patented fies. 19, 1922..

To all whom it may c091 oer n Be it known that I, Gnonsn Loonnnnn, acitizen of the United States, and resident of Los Angeles, in the countyof Los Angeles and State of California, have'invented a new and lmprovedCapping Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and e:-;- actdescription; j

My invention relates to a capping machine, and aims toprovide a deviceof this character, more particularly adapted for use in connection withthe application of tops to cans.

It is well appreciated that roiisiderablc difiicultv'has' beenexperienced. in connection with cappingdevices now placed upon themarket, and suitable for hand operation.

This objection is more particularly to be attributed to the fact that ithas heretofore been necessary to utilize one machine for each size ofcan to be capped. Also it has been usually customary to provide two different machines for producing; the curling and compressing actionnecessary to effect a perfectseating of the parts.

/Vith this in view, I have provided a capping machine more particularlyadapted for use in connection with the capping; of cans, and which isprimarily devised with a view of producing a machine capable of beingoperated by hand for household use, although it is not necessarilylimited to this adaptation.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter which shall be capable of effecting a capping; of varioussir-zed receptacles.

Fltill another object of my invention is the provision of a device ofthe character stated. in which it will not be necessary to utilizedifferent machines or elements for effecting a curling: and compressingaction.

Further objects of my invention will appear in the annexed specificationand drawings which latter present one practical em bodiment ofmyinvention, and. in which;

Figure 1 is a partly sectional side view of a can being' covered, andshowing my improved machine applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same, and

Figure 3 is partly fragmentary bottom plan view of the device.

In these views the reference numeral 5 indicates the base of anysuitable type, conveniently including retaining elements such anon-enLOCHHEAD, or nos snennnscnmronnre.

AoHmnI 2, 1921. Serial No. 441,845.

l to the lower end of which a clamping plate 10 is secured, thus formingwhat might be termed a turret, a bracket 11 having one of its endsextending between the handle and plate 10, and being rotatablewithrespect to these elements.- y

The bracket preferably'provides a longitudinally extending slot 12,carrying a traveler 13, andalongitudinal movement on the part of thistraveler with respect to the bracket may be effected by any suitablemeans such as a screw threadedrod l4; having one of its endssecured to tis traveler, its opposite end preferably providing handle 15, its bodyengaging a screw threaded opening formed adjacent the outer end of thebracket. p

Thus it will be obvious that the movement desired maybe accomplished by.rotating the handle 15, which willin turn rotate the rod 14L, and thiselement, by virtue of its engagement with the bracket 11 and traveler 13will serve to move the latter with respect to the former.

It will also be obvious that the handle 15 will serve to provide meanswhereby the entire machine may be rotated around the elements formingthe turret, and to provide means serving to co-operate with the cap 8. 4to apply the same to its proper position, I conveniently utilize a shaft16 rotatably supported by the traveler, and carrying elements 1'? and 18serving as a curling and compressing; member respectively.

Also it is to be noted that the shaft 16 may be shifted longitudinallywithin the traveler 13 for a purpose hereinafter more fully specified,and to provide means serving to retain the same in the position desired,I conveniently utilize a pawl 19, associated with the traveler 13, insuch a manner as to engage a groove formed in the shaft 16;

From the foregoing it will *be seen that the cap 8 maybe positioned uponthe body of the can 7, subsequent to the latters having been secured tothe base 5, or, other element utilized. for this purpose.

The turret is now positioned in the manner. indicated upon the cap 8,and by feeding the traveler 13 towards the cap, it will be obvious thatthe element 17 Will be caused to engage the side edges of this lattermember, subsequenttov which arotation oi the bracket 11 by means of thehandle 15 will exert a curling action upon the side edges of the cap 8.

Upon this operation having been completed, a retraction of the traveler15 may be effected by rotating the handle 1:1 and upon releasing thepawl 19 it Will be obvious that the shaft 16 will drop to a position atwhich the compressing element 18 W ill align with the edge-0t the cap 8.

A ire-tightening on the part of the handle 15 will no cause thiscompressing element to properly engage the side edges of the cap 8, andit will be obvious thatarpon the bracket it being again rotated to therequisite extent, that the capping operation will have been completed,and that an air-tight joint will be formed capable of Withstanding arelatively great amount of pressure.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a cappingmachine more particularly intended for use in connection with theapplication of caps to the tops of cans, and which may readily beutilized to advantage by an inexperienced opera-tor aside from the -factthat cans of any desired height may be capped by butca single n1achinewhile the entiredeviceis susceptible of application with the tops ofcans of vary ing circumferences, .Within limitations. Also by virtue ofthe elements 17 and 18 being provided as a single unit, it will not beneccssary to resort to complicated structure to effect the twooperations necessary for the complete capping of the can;

Obviously numerous modifications oi structure might readily be resoi tedto Without in the least'departing from the spirit of my invention, which1 claim as;

As a new article or" manu'lacture a sellcomplete manually operableholding crimping and compressing instriunentality for a' can-top saidinstrumentality comprising merely a can-top-engaging member and a singlelever structure pixotally carried by said member and having two se aratcionp'itudinal sections, one supported by and slidably adjustable on the(":1 length of the lever; said lever structure including a single rotarymember with. its axis arranged perpendicular to the length oil? thelever structure and inovablyheld at opposite ends on one of saidsections for rotation about its axis and also for adjustment lengthwiseof its said axis and integrally carrying; separate crimpi {3' andcompressing peripheral surfares. one spaced from the other axially ofthe member, said leverstructure further including: a member toconstitute a handle for manually turning the entire lever structureadmit the can axis and means'ifor moving the axis of the rotary memberlengthwisely of the lever structure While n'iaintaining said an novableend- Wiscly thereof, the means last-mentioned including such handlemember.

GEORGE LOCHHEAD.

ier along;- the

